On this day in 1968, the song “Hush” by Deep Purple peaked at #4 on the U.S. singles chart.  That song featured the band’s Mark 1 lineup.  Who was the lead singer of that first version of the band?

Answer: Rod Evans

Here’s the rest of today’s Rock N’ Roll Diary!

• 1968: The song “Hush” by Deep Purple peaked at #4 on the US singles charts.
• 1974: Jeff “Skunk” Baxter joined the Doobie Brothers after a memorable career as a guitarist for Steely Dan.
• 1979: The headline in the New York Post said “the Beatles are back!” It was a premature and inaccurate report that the Fab Four would reunite in a benefit concert.
• 1985: Dire Straits single “Money for Nothing” featuring some backup vocals from Sting hit #1 in the United States.
• 2001: Bruce Springsteen, U2, Neil Young, Billy Joel, Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers were among the artists who took part in the “America: A Tribute to Heroes” telethon to raise money for the victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
• 2006: Boz Burrell, original bassist for Bad Company and a member of King Crimson died of a heart attack in Spain. He was 60.

In the WZLX ticket stash…

• 1975: The Allman Brothers Band stopped at the Boston Garden.
• 1978: Bob Seger was at the Garden as well.
• 1991: The Grateful Dead played the Garden.